Evaluating iQ-CheckTM real-time PCR to detect Salmonella from poultry environmental samples in Fraser Valley, British...

Salmonella is a ubiquitous pathogen that accounts for foodborne and livestock illnesses worldwide. Robust surveillance programs must be implemented to maintain human and animal health and limit economic losses. The poultry industry in particular demands the implementation of rapid Salmonella detection methods that will facilitate the timely availability of results in a manner allowing actions to be taken for the associated poultry products. One such method, the iQ-CheckTM real-time PCR, has significantly reduced turnaround times compared to conventional culture methods. In this study, a total 733 poultry environmental samples was received from farms in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada and the real-time PCR method was assessed for its ability to detect Salmonella in comparison to the currently used culture protocol. The iQ-Check real-time PCR method was effective at accurately screening out the majority of negative samples, and demonstrated a very strong correlation with the culture method. This was especially true when selective enrichment was performed before PCR, with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values reaching 100.0%, 98.5%, and 98.9%, respectively. These results demonstrate that rapid detection methods could be effectively introduced into current Salmonella surveillance workflows dealing with environmental poultry samples to reduce turnaround times and minimize economic impacts on producers.